How Google Search Saved My Post

I’ve got to admit it; it was a dumb move on my part. I don’t know how it happened, but I lost a posted article on my writer’s site. It was one that I was really fond of and had worked hard to write.

But it was gone and I was at a loss for words – pun intended.

Let me tell you what happened and how Google saved my bacon this time. But first I need to give you some background.

My Wife’s Site on Google

For the past two weeks my wife and I had been working on her new sewing business website. The static pages were pretty well finished and we had started the blog with some introductory posts and tips.

Using the Yoast WordPress SEO plugin, I began optimizing the pages. Keywords were chosen, meta descriptions written and meta titles crafted. The sitemap had already been submitted and I was ready to see where we stood.

I used “seamstress in Fayetteville, Arkansas” for the Google search term. Since it’s a new site, I really didn’t expect a whole lot, but was surprised to find it on the third search engine results page. I had even made sure to hide the private results so as not to skew the actual rank.

One More Google Results Page

Just for giggles, I clicked on the fourth page of results and was surprised to see my copywriting site listed for that same search phrase. My post, “The Seamstress and the Copywriter,” was displayed for all to see.

Cool!

But, when I clicked the link, I got the dreaded “404, file not found” error page. The post didn’t load. Panicking – just a bit, of course – I went directly to the site and found that the post was indeed gone, not even in the trash.

Now, I normally compose my posts in Word and keep a copy on my computers. However, the article was nowhere to be found there either. I really liked that article, so I got ready to rewrite it as best as I could remember.

Then, it hit me like a ton of bricks . . .

Google Cached the Page

I remembered that Google keeps a copy of the page as it was indexed. The cached page link is hidden more than before, but it’s still there. Clicking the link I found the cached page (from September 8th at 3:05 in the afternoon), copied the text and popped it into a document.

I was able to upload the restored article into my site, add some graphics and repost it. Whew! There was no way I could remember what I had written originally, so that saved a lot of time.

I also tweaked the SEO before I submitted it. The link on the SERP worked like a charm after that.

I felt really stupid because I’m a big advocate of computer backups and have a great system. But this just goes to show that one can always slip through the cracks!

About Steve Maurer

I'm a professional B2B copy and content marketing writer in Fayetteville, Arkansas. But don't let my location stop you. I've worked with clients all around the world, across the United States and Canada, and even in some small towns!

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Steve is a terrific writer to work with - timely, thorough, enthusiastic, and a genuine pleasure to hire. His writing is conversational and informative - exactly what we need on the web today. I'm privileged to consider him part of my writing team!
Mindy McHorse
Executive Editor for Barefoot Writer Magazine, Copywriter/Consultant/Author

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"Steve Maurer is a well-trained copywriter who provides excellent content and works 110% to give clients what they want, when they want it. If you are looking for a responsible professional who provides results, call Steve."
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BtoB Content Strategist and PR Consultant,
Rembrandt Communications®, LLC

Friendly, Down to Earth. Like an old friend

When we first started blogging, we were struggling to get our blog posts completed efficiently. Steve helped us get our thoughts organized and on paper and also made recommendations as to how we could improve our lead magnet and website in general.

Steve has a special gift for making dry subject matter interesting and easy to consume – and that’s not an easy thing to do. He’s friendly, down to earth and very easy to work with. After five minutes talking with him you’ll feel like you’ve been old friends for years. Don’t hesitate to call him. Great guy.

Kathy Oken
Co-Owner, The Oken Company

Professional, Easy to Work With

Steve contributes to the Uberflip Blog on an ongoing basis and is exactly what you want in a freelance writer, and more. Not only is he an expert in his field and an engaging writer (his pieces are always hits with our audience), he’s a complete professional and so easy to work with.

He routinely beats deadlines and approaches his work with a genuine enthusiasm – I always know I’m going to get great results.
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Former Community Manager at Uberflip

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The Data Rescue Center/Prosoft Engineering Recommendation
Steve wrote quality, in-depth technical content for our blogs and website for several years. He has an extensive technical background and has been able to learn about our products and company very quickly.

With that he has been able to provide us with great content as if he were an actual in-house employee. Steve has strong writing skills, great grammar, quick turn around and pays attention to details.